Shaken, Not Stirred

Last updated on: October 6, 2014 at 11:29 pm by Abra Carnahan

Shaken, Not Stirred 2014-10-06T23:29:18-07:00 Abra Carnahan

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

I don’t believe in flukes. Everything happens for a reason. (You could disagree with me, but I’d just tell you there is a good reason for you disagreeing.) The last couple days have been rough. I had a writing deadline, my body is essentially glitching on me. I’m in pain, I’m exhausted and I feel gross. Small stuff in the shadow of the Ebola scare, but you know. I keep praying and reading my Bible, but it’s not making as much sense as it usually does. My house is a mess so I decide to listen to a sermon while I clean during my boys’ nap.

I swear our 6 month old puppy, Rango, is a faster learner then I am. I tell him to sit, it takes a couple verbal commands or a nudge on his behind, but he sits. Several times a day, my 2 year old will pat Rango on the nose and run off giggling. It is a taunt, an invitation, to disobey. The puppy wags his tail, he might whine, but he looks at me, keeping eye contact. He’s young and feisty, but he has impressive discipline.

The sermon queued up on my phone is on Haggai, called Shaking the World. As I listen, it becomes clear that my problem isn’t my broken body, it isn’t the way my pants fit, it isn’t even that my To Do list is growing instead of shrinking. My problem is that I’ve lost my focus. In the sermon, Pastor Sumpter talks about how when God draws near, stuff happens — the world shakes, *we* shake and it is good. There is a wonderful point to God’s dramatic approach. He is making the world, He is making us new. He is making Glory. I’ve written before that I think my experiences with Hyperemesis Gravidarum were a gift from God, a gift to shake me out of complacency, a gift to teach me faith. Weeks like this week (yes, I know it is only Monday), are like minor earthquakes, designed to remind me to stay focused on Christ. It is when I finally realize this that I can intentionally lean in to Christ, that I am able to rejoice, to thank God for the sour laundry, for my slow computer, for my bloated belly.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

-Matthew 11:28-30 ESV

If you want to hear the sermon, I highly recommend it to you, here is the online link:

http://thecafe.canonpress.org/trinitypodcast/2014/09/15/minor-prophets-xv-shaking-the-world-haggai/

You can also find this sermon on iTunes here:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/minor-prophets-xv-shaking/id663098110?i=319033777&mt=2

Previous Post

October 3, 2014

What Are You Training For?

Next Post

October 11, 2014 Tasting

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 1000 Gifts abortion causes Christianity Current Events death by living Depression Eating Disorders Essential Oils exhortations Facebook friendship giveaways grace gratitude Guest Posts health help homemaking hope hyperemesis gravidarum Instagram internet Journal kids life love marriage medicine men Modesty motherhood Movie Review My Life So Far Organic Pinterest Political pro-life ptsd quotes Recommended Reading Rest Scripture support Thoughts Uncategorized Vlog women Work

Select a Month August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What is a "scroll" most similar to today?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Statue Book Table Carpet